Salt and pepper shaker



Jan. 3,-1950 B COLEMAN 2,493,109

SALT AND PEPPER SHAKER Filed Aug. 15, 1946 Irma/7707 ,Z'ua/ fi 60/60261 Patented Jan. 3,1950

STATES PATEN OFFICE I 2 Claims. 1 My invention relates to a combinedsalt and pepper shaker, or the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a combined salt and pepper shaker, having means for controlling the dispensing of the salt and pepper or other condiments.

A further object of the-invention is to provide a combined salt and pepper shaker, in which the salt or pepper, or both, may be dispensed simultaneously.

A'still further object is to provide a combined salt and pepper shaker which is compact, neat and attractive, inexpensive to manufacture, and convenient for table and kitchen use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

' Figure 1 is a front elevation of the combined salt and pepper shaker embodying my invention, parts in section,

Figure 2 is a side elevation oi he same, Figure '3 is a plan view of the device, Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of Figural and,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 5-5 of 'Figtire'ii.

In the drawings, where for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 6 designates a rigid frame, preferably formed of metal, plastics, or the like. The frame 6 comprises a vertical web or back I, which is flat and which tapers inwardly from its opposite ends toward its longitudinal and transverse centers. Rigidly secured to the upper end of the web or back I, and preferably formed integral therewith, is a horizontal top 8, which is semi-circular in plan, and which has a straight rear edge. This top 8 has a semicylindrical vertically depending flange 9, and is provided with salt and pepper dispensing apertures I0 and II, which are arranged in spaced circular groups. The top 8 is further provided with an inner horizontal groove I2, which is rectangular in vertical cross-section, and which extends from the inner surface of the flange 9,

rearwardly to the inner surface of the web or back I. This groove I2 extends along the transverse center line of the top 8. The top 8 carries stops I3, located near its rear edge, and spaced equal distances from the groove I2. Rigidly secured to the lower end of the web or 2 back I, and preferably formed integral therewith, is an open horizontal semi-cylindrical bandId. Pivotally slideably mounted upon the top 8, by means of a pivot pin I5, or the like, is a flat segmental shutter I6, for covering the groups of apertures Ill and II. This shutter I6 has a rearwardly extending upstanding finger actuator H, for moving the shutter.

Removably secured within the rigid frame '6, and fitting snugly within the flange 9 and band I i, is'a vertical semi-cylindrical salt and pepper container I8, which is open at'its top end, and which has a flat rear side and a bottom. This container '58 has a central vertical partition I9, whichextends from the bottom of the container to slightly above its open top end, and which engages within the groove I2. The container I8 is preferably formed of a suitable transparent plastic material, and provides salt and pepper compartments 20 and 2|.

Removably secured to the band I4, and having press fit engagement with the same, is a bottom member 22, for retaining the container I8 in place, and providing a base'forthe device.

ltigidly secured to the web or back I, and preferably formed integral therewith, is a handle 23 for the salt and pepper shaker.

The operation and use of the salt and pepper shaker is as follows:

The desired amounts of salt and pepper, or other condiments are introduced into the compartments 20 and 2| through the open top of the container I8. The container IB is then assembled into the rigid frame 6. The upper end of the container fits snugly within the flange 9, and its lower end fits snugly Within the band I4. The upper end of the vertical partition I9 engages within the groove I2, and prevents the salt and pepper, or other condiments, in their respective compartments from becoming mixed. The container I8 is prevented from turning, in assembly, because of the engagement between the fiat rear side of the container and the flat web or back I.

With the container I8 assembled in place, the bottom cap 22 is pressed onto the band I4, and prevents the container from slippin out, while the device is being used.

With the combined salt and pepper shaker thus assembled, the handle 23 is grasped, and either salt or pepper, or both, may be dispensed through the apertures I0 and II. The shutter IE is conveniently adjusted by swinging the actuator H. The stops I3 limit the travel of the shutter. When the inner end of the actuator I'I engages one stop I3, salt alone may be dispensed, and the pepper dispensing apertures are covered by the shutter. Likewise, when the other stop is engaged, pepper alone may be dispensed. When the actuator I1 is moved to the transverse center of the device, above the handle 23, part of both groups of apertures I and II are uncovered, and a mixture of salt and pepper, or other condiments, may be dispensed.

It is apparent that this combined salt and pepper shaker provides a compact and convenient device for use at the table, in the kitchen, or in restaurants. The rigid frame 6, and associated elements, may be produced in any desired color, and the completed device has an attractive appearance.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is:

1. A combined salt and pepper shaker comprising a frame including a vertically-disposed fiat back, a horizontally-disposed semi-circular shaped top secured to the upper end of said back, a horizontally-disposed semi-circular shaped band secured to the lower end of said back, and a semi-circular shaped bottom member arranged in parallel spaced relation with respect to said top and in press fit engagement with said semicircular shaped band, there being groups of apertures in said top, the apertures of each group being arranged in spaced relation, a semi-cylindrical open-ended container having a compartment for the reception of salt and a second compartment for the reception of pepper, said compartments being arranged in side-by-side relation positioned intermediate the top and bottom of the said frame, said container being encircled by said band and bearing against the flat back of said frame and against the bottom member, the open end of each of said compartments being in registry with the complemental groups of apertures in said top, and means embodying a shutter mounted for arcuate movement about a vertical axis on said top for selectively opening and closing the groups of apertures in said top to thereby control the dispensing of the salt and pepper from the compartments.

2. A combined salt and pepper shaker comprising a frame including a vertically-disposed flat back, a horizontally-disposed semi-circular shaped top secured to the upper end of said back, a horizontally-disposed semi-circular shaped band secured to the lower end of said back, and a semi-circular shaped bottom member arranged in parallel spaced relation with respect to said top and in press fit engagement with said semicircular shaped band, there being groups of apertures in said top, the apertures of each group being arranged in spaced relation, a semi-cylindrical open-ended container having a compartment for the reception of salt and a second compartment for the reception of pepper, said compartments being arranged in side-by-side relation positioned intermediate the top and bottom of the said frame, said container being encircled by said band and bearing against the flat back of said frame and against the bottom member, the open end of each of said compartments being in registry with the complemental groups of apertures in said top, means embodying a shutter mounted for arcuate movement about a vertical axis on said top for selectively opening and closin the groups of apertures in said top to thereby control the dispensing of the salt and pepper from the compartments, and stop means on said top for limiting lateral movement of said shutter.

EVA B. COLEMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 143,951 Atterbury Oct. 28, 1873 830,142 Ebbing Sept. 4, 1906 1,002,531 Levy Sept. 5, 1911 1,007,294 Kraft Oct. 31, 1911 1,071,465 Rossbach Aug. 26, 1913 1,264,029 DuGuay Apr. 23, 1918 1,410,375 Ciesielska Mar. 21, 1922 1,437,345 Marr Nov. 28, 1922 1,564,336 Fischbach Dec. 3, 1925 1,575,506 Rogers Mar. 2, 1926 1,739,363 Kraft Dec. 10, 1929 

